1-Day Seattle Itinerary: Iconic Sights & Eats
Seattle is a city that holds a special place in my heart. As a Pacific Northwest local, I’ve grown to love exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, iconic sights, and incredible food scene.
From sipping a local coffee to taking in the waterfront and trying local dishes and speakeasies, this 1-day itinerary gives you a taste of everything that makes Seattle special. If you’re visiting the Emerald City for the first time or only have one day to explore, this Seattle itinerary will guide you through the must-see iconic sights and the best local eats.
This post is all about how to experience the iconic sights and food of Seattle in 1 day!
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Seattle Travel Tips
Know Before You Go
- Use the Link Lightrail
Ubers from SeaTac Airport to downtown Seattle can run $50 – $70. But the Link Lightrail is convenient and drops you right into downtown for just $3. - Pack layers and a light jacket!
Seattle weather is unpredictable, but drizzles are frequent. - Get a CityPASS
If you plan to visit major attractions like the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, and Chihuly Garden and Glass, the CityPASS saves you money on admission. - Get to the airport early
The SeaTac airport has the most unpredictable and longest lines of most US airports that I’ve traveled to. One time, the TSA line was even backed up into the parking garage! Although the lines do tend to move quickly and they have a great system, I always try to add a little more time for SeaTac as a buffer. - Use Spot Hero for discounted parking
Parking in downtown Seattle can be expensive, expeciually overnight. Use the SpotHero app to reserve a space in advance at a lower rate.
Curious how my husband and I both flew free (just the $5.60 taxes and fees) for the last 4 years?
✈️ Check out my blog post How to Fly Free
🚘 My Favorite Site for Cheap Rental Cars
Where to Stay
We really enjoyed staying at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Seattle, near the Washington State Convention Center.
The hotel had a gorgeous view of the waterfront from our high-floor room, and the location made it easy to walk everywhere. The rooms were clean, spacious, and elegant. We particularly liked the location and how walkable it was to everything. I highly recommend it!
Other great hotel options in the area include:
- The Paramount Hotel — Central location
- Spring Hill Suites Seattle Downtown — Affordable
- Hotel Sorrento — Unique and charming!
Don’t Forget!
Book your stay on VRBO, Booking.com, Priceline, or Expedia to claim your cash back from Rakuten.
This is one of my 7 Favorite Hotel Booking Hacks that I use on every trip!
1-Day Seattle Itinerary
Here’s the exact Seattle itinerary I recommend for seeing the top iconic Seattle spots and best eats in just one day!
Staying longer? Check out the bonus section for more activities and things to do.
1. Visit a Local Coffee Shop
Seattle is famous for its coffee culture. But I’d skip the big chains and try local favorites like Victrola Coffee Roasters or Storyville Coffee.
If you’re near the Hyatt Regency, check out Mr. West Café Bar for an orange coconut latte that’s as delicious as it is unique. The avocado toast and other brunch items are also fabulous.
2. Walk Around the Pike Place Market
No trip to Seattle is complete without a stop at Pike Place Market. Take in the vibrant colors of fresh flowers, watch fishmongers toss the catch of the day, and sample some local specialties.
Try Local Food Favorites
A few must-tries include:
- Pike Place Chowder: Award-winning clam chowder (get the sampler!).
- Beecher’s Handmade Cheese: Grab a cup of their famous mac & cheese—it’s the ultimate comfort food and perfect for a rainy day.
- Rachel’s Ginger Beer: Try a locally brewed ginger beer with unique flavors like blood orange and passionfruit.
Gawk at the Fresh Flowers
The flowers at the Pike Place Market are stunning! Particularly the enormous dahlia blooms.
The prices are actually really affordable too. So grab a stem or two, or more and enjoy a beautiful arrangement of flowers.
Visit the Iconic Gum Wall and Murals
Of course, you’ll want to stop by Pike Place’s iconic gum wall! And check out the murals that are sprinkled throughout the Pike Place Market.
3. Explore the Seattle Waterfront
Just a short walk from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Waterfront offers stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
You can stroll along the piers, ride the Seattle Great Wheel, ride the carousel at Miners Landing, or check out the Seattle Aquarium.
Waterfront History
The history of the Seattle waterfront is fascinating, and I learned that it’s been a mission for decades to make it more welcoming to visitors, walkable for the public, and structurally cohesive as a sea wall. I was very happy to see during my last visit in 2024 that many of the improvements are near completion and it looks amazing!
Some of those recent improvements include a kids giant jellyfish play structure, a habitat beach where you can now touch the water, a beautiful overpass walkway called Overlook Walk linking the Pike Place Market to the Aquarium and improvements to the piers. Lots to see and do!
Set aside some time in your Seattle itinerary for walking around and soaking in the beautiful waterfront areas.
5. Space Needle
Iconic to Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle is a great way to catch views of the city, Puget Sound, and the surrounding mountains. It can be a bit pricey starting at $29, but worth doing once! The monorail even Dro
Just next door, the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum is another iconic part of Pacific Northwest art.
Pro tip: Combine these two attractions with a Space Needle + Chihuly Garden Combo Pass to save on admission and avoid long lines.
4. Amazon Spheres
If you’re curious about modern architecture, head to the Amazon Spheres.
This fascinating workspace is part of Amazon’s downtown campus and is known as an urban jungle atmosphere with over 40,000 plants!
While access to the inside is limited, you can enjoy the view from the outside and snap some cool photos. I was fortunate to be able to go inside for a cocktail reception during an event I attended. The architecture is impressive, and I’m always happy to be surrounded by beautiful plants.
But even if you just stop by for a quick photo, that’s okay because the next stop I recommend is attached to the Amazon Spheres, and you won’t want to skip it….
5. Have a drink at Deep Dive
If your new here, you’ll learn quickly that I’m a biggggg sucker for a speakeasy or a fancy cocktail bar. Deep Dive quickly called my name after seeing lots of reviews online about their amazing drink menu and fun underwater theme.
If you’re following along with this Seattle itinerary, you’ll be happy to know that it’s also conveniently located on the lower level of the Amazon Spheres building, accessible from the outside.
It’s not technically a speakeasy; no secret password or hidden entrance. But it has a speakeasy vibe where you enter and wander down a long hallway with fun art before popping into the bar area with themed decor and an elegant bar top.
We got the Rio Rosa, Baroness, and The Deep End. I thought the Rio Rosa was super unique and flavorful! But the mesquite flavor and smoothness of The Deep End was also incredible. Hard to pick a favorite.
6. Dinner
For dinner, you have a few options to consider! You can head to Andare Kitchen and Bar for delicious Italian food and cocktails, especially if you want to stay in the area near the Regency. I loved their rigatoni with sausage and ricotta so much I ordered it twice in one weekend…
Another great dinner option is Von’s 1,000 Spirits. They feature a lot of scratch sourdough pasta and pizza dough, but the whole menu is impressive and every single thing we got was awesome!
They not only offer a great happy hour, but every hour they spin a giant wheel to reveal a special deal. I even got to spin the wheel! I wished it had landed on the $6 lemon drop deal… but instead it landed on a moscow mule special. Fun concept though!
Highlights not to miss at Von’s are the En Fuego cocktail, any pizza, the original mac and cheese, and the cookie skillet.
7. Pho-cific Standard Time Speakeasy
Time for another speakeasy!
End your evening at Pho-cific Standard Time, a cozy and fun speakeasy known for its Vietnamese-inspired craft cocktails. Get reservations if you can because this spot is very small (about 20 seats total) and books up very quickly.
The Queen Bee and the Coconut cocktails were outstanding!
The laid-back vibe and creative drinks make it a perfect way to wrap up your one-day Seattle adventure.
More Fun Things to Do + Eat in Seattle
If you’re lucky enough to have extra time, here are a few more must-visit spots to add to your Seattle itinerary:
- Catch a game to see The Mariners, Seahawks, Kraken or Sounders
- Take a Ferry Ride — One of my favorite Seattle activities!
- Visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) — includes exhibits on music, film, video games, and sci-fi, with highlights like the Nirvana exhibit and “Indie Game Revolution.”
- Visit Fremont — Explore Seattle’s quirky side by visiting the Fremont Troll statue. The massive troll sculpture, clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle, is one of Seattle’s most iconic art pieces.
- Woodland Park Zoo — This award-winning zoo is perfect for families, and a home to over 1,000 animals.
- Visit Snoqualmie Falls
- Happy Hour at List Restaurant — The entire food menu is 50% off during happy hour! Unbeatable prices and the sweetest, kindest waiter we’ve experienced in a long time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Seattle called the Emerald City?
Seattle is often referred to as the Emerald City or the ‘Evergreen State’ because if it’s abundance of lush greenery and evergreen trees.
What’s the best way to travel to downtown Seattle from the airport?
Personally, I’d recommend using the Link Lightrail to travel from SeaTac Airport to Downtown Seattle. Ubers from SeaTac Airport to downtown Seattle can run $50 – $70. But the Link Lightrail is convenient and drops you right into downtown for just $3.
When is the best month to visit Seattle?
The late spring to early fall are ideal times to visit Seattle for the best weather and walkable conditions. Here are the average monthly temperatures and expected days of rainfall by month.
| Month | Average Temperature (High / Low °F) | Days of Rainfall |
| January | 47° / 39° | 13 days |
| February | 49° / 40° | 12 days |
| March | 52° / 42° | 13 days |
| April | 57° / 45° | 10 days |
| May | 63° / 50° | 7 days |
| June | 66° / 54° | 5 days |
| July | 72° / 57° | 4 days |
| August | 72° / 57° | 4 days |
| September | 67° / 55° | 5 days |
| October | 59° / 50° | 9 days |
| November | 51° / 43° | 14 days |
| December | 46° / 39° | 13 days |
Finalizing Your Seattle Itinerary
Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a longer stay, Seattle has so much to offer.
From iconic landmarks to local eats, this 1-day Seattle itinerary gives you a taste of the city’s best, and a few of the must-see highlights.
Enjoy your visit, grab a coffee or two, and don’t forget to pack your rain jacket—you never know when the Seattle drizzle might make an appearance!
Happy travels!
-Hannah
Plate & Compass
Plate & Compass is a food and travel blog written by Hannah Falkosky. After quitting her job and spending 8 weeks in Europe on just a few thousand dollars, she found her love for budget travel and sharing tips to help others explore the world. She also spent 15 years working with award-winning chefs and developed a love for artful food and cocktails. Hannah is now based out of Los Angeles, and when she’s not traveling she makes it her mission to explore the best restaurants and cocktail bars while living life to the fullest.
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